"I feel like a star": the Louvre, reopened, pampers its audience

"I was afraid that the tickets would leave super fast like a rock concert," murmurs Alexandra, the luminous mine, in the queue at the Louvre. I put an alarm on my phone. I clicked on the link from midnight to 9 a.m. to be sure I had it. The night was short, but it was my husband's dream, so I wanted to offer him this historic moment. "

Like her, dozens of masked visitors calmly wait for 9 o'clock to strike. After four months of closure, the emblematic museum finally reopens its doors to the public this Monday, July 6 with a route adapted to health rules. Direction of circulation, limited gauges and, of course, wearing of the mandatory mask are required. "I was afraid of seeing the queue empty," blows Leïla, head of security. But they are there! "

"Optimal conditions"

Throwing a furtive glance at the first arrivals, Jean-Luc Martinez, president and director of the museum, sheds light on the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis. “The losses are estimated at 40 million euros. The gauge is now limited to 6,400 visitors per day, compared to 40,000 previously. Normally, we welcome 75% of foreign visitors. We know that our frequentation will not return to normal for two or three years, "he lists, before insisting:" This is an opportunity for the French to come in optimal conditions. We will set up free twenty-minute tours starting on Wednesday with commentaries on emblematic works. "

Suddenly, applause rings out. The staff cheer the newcomers. "I feel like a star," blushed Alexandra. The 30-something victim of an accident a few years ago fears the crowd. So she takes advantage of being able to take her time. “I never came because of the long tail. I am sorry for the Louvre, but I must admit that it is more practical for me given my crutches and my handicap. I feel less rushed. "

"I never came because of the long tail," says Alexandra, delighted./LP/Delphine Goldsztejn  

As soon as they entered, the couple rushed towards the Mona Lisa. The real star of this reopening is her. Many have only his name on his lips. "It is a little, in fact," exclaims a little excited girl. When Thibaud, Alexandra's companion, exclaims: "Just two, three minutes of waiting to see her. It's a kid's dream come true! And when the receptionist opens the barrier to let the couple take their picture right outside, Alexandra exults. "Oh, we even have the right to approach it so close!" "And to whisper:" Is it like that in normal times? The staff are very attentive. "

Lower down, in the Greek section, Jacqueline stamps in front of the Venus de Milo. "It's extraordinary, chuckles the sixties. I have Venus for myself. I can look at it from all angles, approach and back up as I please. Usually, I always have heads or horrible selfie sticks lying around in my photos! In addition, I put earplugs because of the hubbub. Today, no need. It's calm like ... in Greece! "

"Like being in an Egyptian tomb"

A little further, groups frown at the hieroglyphs. "I hear my footsteps resounding: I have the impression of being in an Egyptian tomb," Aurélie raves. I extended my weekend in Paris by a day and I asked for express leave for the reopening of the Louvre. It's like I have the museum for myself! "

Newsletter - The essentials of the news

I'm registering

Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more

Between two forbidden senses, Agnes wanders, smiling to the ears in front of a decorative element from the Parthenon. "I don't mind that one-sided sense. In fact, I would like limited gauges to remain the norm. We got so used to it that when it becomes frequented again, we will find it weird! "

With a reduced gauge, visitors can admire the works without the usual rush. LP / Delphine Goldsztejn  

In her seat, Katia, reception agent, scrutinizes the public. “I was afraid that they would annoy the sanitary rules, because some rooms require a detour with the unique route, but not at all. They are as wise as images, ”smiles the thirty-something.

If the Parisians are in the majority, some foreigners also enjoy the reopening. Like Felipe, Brazilian and art historian. “There were virtual tours during the confinement, but nothing replaces the emotion and experience of the work. I have to go back to Sao Paulo in September and I was very anxious that Parisian museums would not reopen before, ”he explains, behind his glasses. Oksanna, a young Russian who lives in Geneva, comments, with red eyes: “Some paintings, like the Raft of the Medusa , resonate all the more strongly with the pandemic. I almost cried in front. "

Reservations on the Louvre museum website.